Check back here often to learn of the latest news and opportunities from WCELI partners including:
Donate to the John Bancroft Educare Sholarship Fund
The John Bancroft Scholarship Fund has been established by Puget Sound Educational Service District to recognize and honor John's significant contributions to early learning, including the creation of Washington state’s first Educare Early Learning Center.
You are invited to make a contribution to this fund and help the most at-risk families ensure that their children receive ongoing preschool and child care. At the same time your contribution will honor John Bancroft and his many years advocating on behalf of young children and their families.
Educare Quality Briefs
Educare Quality Brief - January 2011
New Study Reports Targeted Grants and One-on-One Coaching Boost Child Care Quality
by Thrive by Five Washington
A groundbreaking new study found one-on-one coaching and small grants made a big difference in child care programs, relatively quickly improving quality and cutting down on turnover.
Researchers found monthly intensive coaching and funding for staff scholarships, classroom and curriculum materials or parent engagement, which are part of a rating system being tested in two communities, improved quality scores. Currently, 22 states have child care rating systems, but this is one of the first studies to pinpoint what improves quality.
Researchers studied the first year of Seeds to Success, a voluntary quality ratings and improvement system for licensed child care programs being tested in two Educare communities in Washington State, White Center and East Yakima. In the study, half of 66 child care businesses received intensive help and coaching, while all providers had access to professional development opportunities.
Experts agree that high-quality early learning experiences give young children the start they need to enter school ready for success.
Read the full story on Thrive by Five Washington's blog
WCELI Partners Featured on Learning for Life One-Hour Special "How Babies Learn"
WCELI, the Educare Early Learning Center, Thrive by Five Washington and Seeds to Success were featured on the September 26th Learning for Life Special, "How Babies Learn"
Watch the Learning for Life Hour-Long Special, "How Babies Learn" that features WCELI partners. Learning for Life regularly airs every Wednesday on KING 5 Morning News on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.
This one-hour special reveals how babies think, how their brains absorb information, and what every adult can do to give young children the best start in life.
Breakthrough research done right here in Washington proves babies are born learning. From day one, their tiny brains begin absorbing an incredible amount of information, and they know a lot before they can speak or walk.
High-Quality Early Learning Cuts Crime and Saves Washington Up to $240 Million per Year in Special Education Costs
At the Educare Early Learning Center Wednesday, local law enforcement leaders held a press conference to release their report supporting high-quality early learning as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce crime in the long run and save millions of dollars in the state’s education budget in the short term.
Report Highlights
"The report concludes that investments in voluntary high-quality early learning programs in Washington can:
- Save up to $120 million in K-through-12 education costs by lowering the number of children requiring special education services due to behavioral problems and developmental delays;
- Save an additional $120 million in education costs by reducing the need for children to repeat grades and by helping kids learn more effectively;
- Reduce violent crime and save taxpayers millions of dollars more by reducing costs for corrections, welfare and other government-funded services."
Beverly Park/WCELI Kindergarten Transition Program
Watch the Learning for Life episode that featured the WCELI Kindergarten Transition Program at Beverly Park Elementary School (aired September 8.)
Learning for Life airs every Wednesday on KING 5 Morning News on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.
Beverly Park Elementary in the Highline School District will host its first ever Kindergarten Transition Program August 30th through September 3rd. The program is part of the White Center Early Learning Initiative.
In the week before school starts, entering kindergartners spend about three hours each morning in their new classroom getting to know each other, their teacher and what to expect at school, such as how to behave in circle time, where to find the bathroom and how to get lunch. During this week, teachers also visit each family’s home to learn more about their families, set shared goals, and talk about school expectations and ways for families to support learning at home.
This program builds on the very successful Kindergarten Transition Program that East Yakima started doing in 2008. When the pilot for this program was done in East Yakima:
- Teachers said they could start teaching on Day 1 because children already knew expectations, routines and procedures.
- 99 percent of parents reported that they felt comfortable talking to their child’s teacher; 98 percent reported that their child liked school
- Principals reported that the incidents of children crying or refusing to comply on the first day of school was markedly reduced and, in most cases, eliminated.
The Kindergarten Transition program has been made possible through a grant from The Norcliffe Foundation. Evaluation of the program will be conducted by the White Center Early Learning Initiative (WCELI).
Kindergarten Transition Program in the News
For more information, contact Joan Tritchler at 425-917-7605, 253-778-7605 or jtritchler@psesd.org.
Learning for Life
View KING 5's Learning for Life specials and segments at Thrive by Five Washington's website
Play and Learn Groups in White Center
You are invited to participate in FREE drop-in Play & Learn Groups for young children and their caregivers offered in various locations in White Center. Learn more...
Wednesdays with WCELI
Monthly, on the third Wednesday from 9:00 - 10:00 am
Join other families over coffee and tea to discuss early learning topics and resources. Activities will be provided for children, interpretation available. Learn more...
Click here to learn about the current job openings with the White Center Early Learning Initiative.
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